Bio-based meg and polyester fiber compositions and methods of making the same

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are bio-based polyester fibers, particularly a PET fibers, and a method of making the same by: contacting a bio-based MEG composition with a diacid composition to form a polyester composition; and spinning and/or drawing the resulting polyester composition into a fiber; wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises: a) monoethylene glycol (MEG); and b) from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C3-C12 1,2-diol, wherein the C3-C12 1, 2-diol is linear, branched, or cyclic.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2016109870127, filed on Nov. 9, 2016, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to monoethylene glycol (MEG) compositions, polyester compositions such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) compositions, and polyester fibers.

BACKGROUND

Polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate are widely used for industrial and consumer applications, for example pipe, retail and pharmaceutical packaging, food and beverage packaging such as beverage bottles, toys, carpet, apparel fibers, appliances and many other household items. Due to their excellent mechanical properties, polyethylene terephthalate and its co-polyesters (hereinafter referred to collectively as “PET”) are particularly useful for fabricating fibers and products made from or containing fibers such as fabrics, nonwoven materials, carpet, apparel, and the like. PET fibers are particularly useful in creating wrinkle-resistant, durable fabrics with high color retention, and may also exhibit superior water, wind, and environmental resistance when compared to natural fibers such as cotton. Standard PET fiber production can involve a spinning process, for example a filament type spinning process or a spun type spinning process, and a weaving process.

Conventional PET polyester is usually produced from the condensation reaction of terephthalic acid with monoethylene glycol (MEG), also referred to simply as ethylene glycol. Both of these PET precursors are normally derived from petrochemical sources. For example, terephthalic acid is generally formed by the oxidation of p-xylene and MEG is generally derived from the oxidation of ethylene, both of which are produced from petrochemicals.

Over time, consumer demand has increased for limiting the use of oil and petroleum-based products, including plastics, in consumer products, and preferences for more “natural” or plant-based or -derived products have expanded. To meet this consumer demand, there remains a need for improvements in the current polymerization processes to produce PET from plant-based sources. In particular, there is a need to produce PET precursors such as MEG entirely from biological or plant-based sources, rather than from traditional petroleum sources.

SUMMARY

This disclosure generally focuses on the monoethylene glycol (MEG) precursor for polyethylene terephthalate and its co-polyesters (PET), and provides generally for bio-based MEG, PET compositions made using bio-based PET, and methods of making the same, and fibers and fiber-containing products made using the bio-based MEG and PET. The MEG disclosed herein can be used as a polyester precursor for any polyester that uses ethylene glycol as the diol precursor. The resulting polyesters and co-polyesters can also be used in any polyester application such as fibers, fiber-containing products including carpet, apparel, and nonwoven products, films and containers, including containers such as bottles, drums, carafes, coolers, and the like.

In one aspect, the monoethylene glycol (MEG) that is bio-based can be described according to the minor concentrations of the additional diol components, alcohol components, or other hydroxyl-containing components contained in the bio-based MEG. The additional diol components include, for example, 1,2-diols. One aspect of the disclosure relates to a bio-based MEG composition that includes monoethylene glycol (MEG) and at least one C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol, including C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols that can be linear, branched, or cyclic. A further aspect of the disclosure relates to a bio-based MEG composition comprising: monoethylene glycol (MEG); and from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol, wherein the C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol is linear, branched, or cyclic.

Still a further aspect of the disclosure relates to a bio-based MEG composition comprising: monoethylene glycol (MEG); from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol, wherein the C₃-C₁₂ 1, 2-diol is linear, branched, or cyclic; and an alcohol, particularly 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol. In this aspect, the bio-based MEG can be described according to the presence of this particular alcohol.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure relates to a method of making a bio-based PET composition comprising the step of: contacting or reacting the MEG composition according to any of the embodiments or aspects described above with a diacid such as terephthalic acid. Finally, this disclosure provides for fibers made from the bio-based MEG and bio-based PET prepared therefrom.

Accordingly, in an aspect, the disclosure provides a method of making a bio-based polyester fiber, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   contacting a bio-based MEG composition with a diacid composition         to form a polyester composition; and     -   spinning and/or drawing the resulting polyester composition into         a fiber;     -   wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises: a) monoethylene         glycol (MEG); b) from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least         one C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol, wherein the C₃-C₁₂ 1, 2-diol is linear,         branched, or cyclic; and optionally, c)         2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol.

According to another aspect, this disclosure provides a bio-based polyester fiber, comprising the polyester reaction product of:

-   -   a bio-based MEG composition comprising a) monoethylene glycol         (MEG); b) from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one         C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol, wherein the C₃-C₁₂ 1, 2-diol is linear,         branched, or cyclic; and optionally, c) c)         2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol; and     -   a diacid composition.         In some embodiments, the diacid composition comprises one or         more aromatic diacid, including terephthalates, furanoates,         naphthalates, and the like. As an example, the diacid         composition can comprise one or more of terephthalic acid,         isophthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid,         2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, or 2-(2-carboxyphenyl)benzoic acid.

Also described is a textile comprising the bio-based polyester fiber according to the disclosure, including a carpet and an apparel fabric. Further described are nonwoven materials including dry-laid nonwovens, wet-laid nonwovens, spunbond nonwovens, and monofilament as well. These and other aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are further described in the following sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the methods, processes and systems of the present disclosure may become apparent to one of skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a gas chromatogram (FID detector) of a bio-based MEG composition produced according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several specific embodiments and/or aspects of the present disclosure are described herein. To provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are necessarily described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art and having the benefit of this disclosure.

The Bio-Based MEG Composition

According to aspects of the present disclosure, bio-based MEG compositions and the PET derived therefrom can be produced from plant mass and in particular, the sugars contained therein. Suitable sugars include, but not limited to glucose, xylose, sucrose, fructose, and mixtures thereof. For example, sugar cane may be fermented using means known to one of ordinary skill in the art to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide. This ethanol may then be converted to ethylene using any of the known methods in the art, which may then be converted to MEG using standard processes, such as those used to convert petroleum-based ethylene to MEG. For example, a bio-based MEG composition may be produced by pyrolyzing a sugar to obtain a pyrolysis product composition; and hydrogenating the pyrolysis product composition in the presence of a catalyst and a solvent, under pressure, as discussed in detail in WO 2016/001169, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Alternatively, a bio-based MEG composition may be produced in a continuous process whereby hydrogen, a carbohydrate source, and a liquid diluent can be continuously fed into a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) wherein a catalyst system is present, and wherein the catalyst system comprises a tungsten compound and at least one hydrogenolysis metal selected from a Group 8, 9, or 10 metal, to achieve the reaction between the carbohydrate source and the hydrogen to form ethylene glycol. In this process, for example, at least one tungsten compound can be added to the CSTR continuously or periodically, as discussed in detail in WO 2016/114661, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In such a continuous process the tungsten compound may be selected from, for example, tungstic acid (H₂WO₄), ammonium tungstate, or ammonium metatungstate.

In a further aspect, the bio-based MEG can be prepared by from sucrose by hydrolyzing the sucrose to form a product stream containing glucose, fructose, and their derivatives, separating the reaction product stream into a fructose rich stream (including its derivatives) and a glucose rich stream (including its derivatives); and contacting the glucose rich stream with hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst system with catalytic hydrogenation abilities to produce a product stream comprising monoethylene glycol. An example of such as process is disclosed in US20160096789, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

In another aspect, plant mass such as sugar cane, corn wheat, cassava, agricultural waste, or wood chips may be used as a feed material and processed to help isolate the sugar and convert this sugar to MEG. For example, the sugar from a plant source can be fermented to generate ethanol and CO₂, and this bio-CO₂ can be converted to oxalic acid, which in turn can be reduced to MEG. Therefore, not only can the sugars derived from a plant source be used as bio-MEG precursors, but also the CO₂ derived from the fermentation process can be used as a bio-MEG precursor as well. Bio-MEG may also be produced by electrochemical routes from CO₂.

While not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that varying the source and relative amounts of plant mass used in the feed material may affect the types and contents of various sugars, thereby affecting the specific properties, such as specific by-products or impurities and their concentrations, of any MEG or PET composition produced therefrom. These MEG and PET compositions are suitable for a wide range of uses, including for use in fabricating fiber-containing materials or beverage bottles.

It has been discovered that the bio-based MEG compositions described herein contain numerous impurities which generally are not present in standard petroleum-based MEG compositions, including numerous diols. Such diols are likely produced as by-products during the chemical reactions used to convert plant-based sugars to ethanol. Several of these impurities are shown in FIG. 1, which depicts a gas chromatogram of a MEG composition produced according to an aspect of the invention. This chromatogram identifies MEG, 1,2-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,2-pentanediol, diethylene glycol (DEG), and an unknown compound which has been identified as 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol. The structure of 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol is shown here.

In some embodiments, each of the impurities listed above can be present in an amount of from about 1 ppm to about 5,000 ppm, for example about 1 ppm, about 100 ppm, about 500 ppm, about 1,000 ppm, about 2,000 ppm, about 3,000 ppm, about 4,000 ppm, or about 5,000 ppm. While not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the specific species and concentration of C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols present may be adjusted by adjusting the types and relative amounts of plant mass used as feed material to produce a bio-based MEG composition.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, a bio-based MEG composition may contain from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol, wherein the C₃-C₁₂ 1, 2-diol is linear, branched, or cyclic, for example about 1 ppm, about 10 ppm, about 50 ppm, about 100 ppm, about 1000 ppm, about 2000 ppm, about 3000 ppm, about 4000 ppm, or about 5000 ppm of at least one C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol. In embodiments of the present disclosure, a bio-based MEG composition may further contain 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a bio-based MEG composition may contain from about 1 to about 100 ppm of 1,2-propanediol, or from about 1 to about 20 ppm of 1,2-propanediol. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a bio-based MEG composition may contain from 1 to about 1000 1,2-butanediol, or from about 1 to about 80 ppm of 1,2, butanediol. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a bio-based MEG composition may contain from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-pentanediol, or from about 1 to about 500 ppm of 1,2-pentanediol. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a bio-based MEG composition may contain from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-hexanediol, or from about 1 to about 20 ppm of 1,2-hexanediol. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a bio-based MEG composition may contain from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-cyclopentanediol, or from about 1 to about 20 ppm of 1,2-cyclopentanediol. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a bio-based MEG composition may contain from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol, or from about 1 to about 100 ppm of 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based MEG composition may contain any one of more of from about 1 to about 20 ppm of 1,2-propanediol, from about 1 to about 80 ppm of 1,2,-butanediol, from about 1 to about 500 ppm of 1,2-pentanediol, from about 1 to about 20 ppm 1,2-hexanediol, from about 1 to about 20 ppm of 1,2-cyclopentanediol, and from about 1 to about 100 ppm of 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based MEG composition may contain any one of more of from about 5 to about 10 ppm of 1,2-propanediol, from about 30 to about 70 ppm of 1,2,-butanediol, from about 300 to about 450 ppm of 1,2-pentanediol, from about 5 to about 10 ppm 1,2-hexanediol, from about 5 to about 10 ppm of 1,2-cyclopentanediol, and from about 60 to about 80 ppm of 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol.

The Bio-Based Polyester (PET) Composition

The bio-based MEG above may be reacted with terephthalic acid (PTA) to form the polyester PET, which is referred to herein as bio-PET or bio-polyester. In some embodiments, the bio-based MEG above may be reacted with any other aromatic diacid, including terephthalates, furanoates, naphthalates, and the like. In some embodiments, the bio-based MEG above may be reacted with a combination of aromatic diacids. While not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the specific combination and concentrations of C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol components derived from the bio-based MEG may reduce crystallization and crystallinity of the PET produced from these MEG compositions, and may further improve PET processability. That is, it is thought that these C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols may be incorporated as co-monomers which can lead to disruption of chain orientation or crystallinity development in the co-polyester PET resin as compared to PET resins without such C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols. That is, it is thought that these C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols in bio-based PET resins may disrupt the chain orientation or crystallinity development of the bio-based PET resin as compared to bio-based PET resins without such C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols. Moreover, these impurities may further improve the performance of the fibers produced from this PET. Similarly, while not intending to be bound by theory, it is thought that the incorporation of these C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols may as co-monomers can lead to a reduction in the lamellar size and spherulitic crystallization in the co-polyester PET resin as compared to PET resins without such C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols. A decrease in the lamellar size and spherulitic crystallization may lead to an increase in the probability of tie chain participation in adjacent crystallites in the co-polyester PET resin as compared to the PET resins without such C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols, and may further result in a finer, more granular crystalline structure in the co-polyester PET resin as compared to the PET resins without such C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols. This higher probability of tie chain participation in adjacent crystallites will lead to higher toughness of the co-polyester PET resin under both extension and impact as compared to the PET resins without such C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols. This increased toughness will make the co-polyester PET resin particularly desirable for use in fiber applications, where toughness in extension and impact is necessary. Additionally, the decrease in the lamellar size and spherulitic crystallization may lead fibers made from the co-polyester PET resin to exhibit a better, more uniform dyeability response as compared to the PET resins without such C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diols.

As used herein, “impurities” include any byproducts of the process used to produce the MEG. The unexpected blend of MEG and minor diols provided by selecting the plant mass or carbohydrate from specific sources is thought to provide the improved performance of the fibers prepared using the same.

In an aspect, the transparency and clarity of films, blow-molded, or stretch blow-molded samples prepared using the bio-based PET disclosed herein provides a useful comparison and can be measured by the transmission haze percentage, which measures the scattering of light as it passes through a transparent material, as detailed in ASTM D1003. Surprisingly, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET resin is clearer than a comparable petroleum-based PET resin. In other words, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transmission haze percentage of a bio-based PET resin is lower than the transmission haze percentage of a petroleum-based PET resin. For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transmission haze percentage of a bio-based PET resin is about 3.75% while the transmission haze percentage of a petroleum-based PET resin is about 4.2%. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transmission haze percentage of a bio-based PET resin is no more than about 10%. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the transmission haze percentage of a bio-based PET resin is at least about 10%. In some embodiments, the transmission haze percentage of a bio-based PET resin may be about 10%, about 9%, about 8%, about 7%, about 6%, about 5%, about 4.75%, about 4.5%, about 4.25%, about 4%, about 3.75%, about 3.5%, about 3.25%, about 3%, about 2.75%, about 2.5%, about 2.25%, about 2%, about 1.75%, about 1.5%, about 1.25%, about 1%, about 0.75%, about 0.5%, or about 0.25%.

In some embodiments, the transmission haze percentage of a bio-based PET resin may be from about 20% to about 40% lower than the transmission haze percentage of a comparative oil-based PET resin. As used herein, a “comparative oil-based PET resin” is intended to refer to a PET resin which is identical in composition to the bio-based PET resin, except that the oil-based PET resin contains only oil-based MEG, and no bio-based MEG. For example, in some embodiments, the transmission haze percentage of a bio-based PET resin may be about 20% lower than the transmission haze percentage of a comparative oil-based PET resin, about 25% lower, about 30% lower, about 35% lower, about 40% lower, or any ranges therebetween. The bio-based MEG disclosed herein also can be used as a polyester precursor for any polyester that uses ethylene glycol as the diol precursor, including for example, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethylene isophthalate, and the like. The bio-based MEG can further be used in any polyester co-polymers that may comprise some fraction of glycol (diol) modification, regardless of the whether the glycol used for modification is petroleum- or bio-based, and/or some fraction of diacid modification. For example, the bio-based MEG can be used in PET co-polymers having up to about 20 percent diacid modification, based on 100 mole percent diacid component in the bio-based PET. Diol (glycol) modification also occurs using bio-based MEG, but for the diol component, the co-diol can be from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol, wherein the C₃-C₁₂ 1, 2-diol is linear, branched, or cyclic. That is, the co-diols are derived as a result of the production of bio-based MEG using the plant sources as described herein.

The polyester may be made using any suitable polycondensation catalysts; however, Applicants previously discovered that specific polycondensation catalysts may be particularly useful. For example, polycondensation catalysts such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0275568 can be used to make the bio-based PET. In one embodiment, the polyester may be made using at least one first polycondensation catalyst selected from the group consisting of metals in groups 3, 4, 13, and 14 of the Periodic Table. The polyester composition may comprise a catalyst residue remaining in the polyester from formation of the polyester and the catalyst residue may comprise at least a portion of the at least one first polycondensation catalyst. In some embodiments, the catalyst residue may be present in the polyester composition in an amount up to 250 ppm, and is preferably less.

If desired, the activity of the first polycondensation catalyst can be moderated using optional catalyst deactivating compounds, such as phosphorus containing compounds, to the polyester composition. The phosphorus containing compounds include both organic and inorganic compounds. Examples include but are not limited to phosphoric acid, polyphosphoric acid, and tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite, tris monononylphenyl phosphite.

In other embodiments the bio-based PET composition may comprise a second polycondensation catalyst selected from the group consisting of cobalt, antimony, zinc, manganese, magnesium, cesium, calcium, and cadmium. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the amount of the second polycondensation catalyst which is present in the polyester composition should be maintained below levels which may significantly lower the I.V. of the polyester composition below acceptable levels. Accordingly, in one embodiment the second polycondensation catalyst may be present in the polyester composition in an amount up to 3 ppm of the polyester composition. Specifically, the reactivity of traditional polycondensation catalysts such as cobalt, antimony, zinc, manganese, magnesium, cesium, calcium, calcium, and cadmium is not mitigated to the extent necessary to make use of the phosphorus-based deactivating agents a viable alternative compared to substantial reduction or elimination of the metal catalyst residues containing cobalt, antimony, zinc, manganese, magnesium, cesium, calcium, or cadmium.

In order to prepare suitable fibers from the subject bio-polyester samples prepared from the bio-MEG, having adequate physical properties and an intrinsic viscosity (I.V. or IV) suitable for efficient spinning and/or drawing, the polyester composition desirably has an I.V. of at least 0.60, more preferably from about 0.65 to about 1.0, and even more preferably from about 0.70 to about 0.86. The units for I.V. herein are all in dL/g measured according to ASTM D4603-96, in which the I.V. of bio-based PET based resin is measured at 30° C. with 0.5 weight percent concentration in a 60/40 (by weight) phenol/1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane solution.

The Hoffman-Weeks extrapolation procedure may be used to determine the equilibrium melting temperature of a homopolymer, such as PET made according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In this method, the experimentally observed peak melting temperature T_(m) is plotted as a function of the crystallization temperature, T_(c). When secondary effects such as recrystallization are negligible or absent, a plot of T_(m) against T_(c) may be extrapolated to the intersection of the T_(m)-T_(c) parity line to obtain the value for the equilibrium melting temperature T_(m) ⁰. The method is described in detail in the original paper by Hoffman and Weeks, John D. Hoffman and James J. Weeks, “Melting Process and the Equilibrium Melting Temperature of Polychlorotrifluoroethylene,” J. Research NBS—A. Phys. Chem., 66, 13-28 (1962), which is well known to the skilled artisan and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The method is especially applicable to polymer systems that approach equilibrium during crystallization and crystallize via a chain folding mechanism. While not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the method can be readily applicable to situations where the homopolymer crystallization behavior is closely approached, such as in the present disclosure, where the 1,2-diols are present in very small amounts, but still have a measureable effect on the ability of the chain to crystallize via chain folding.

An alternative method where the comonomer content is appreciable was originally developed by Flory as disclosed in Paul J. Flory, “Theory of Crystallization in Copolymers,” Trans. Faraday Soc., 51, 848-856 (1955), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, and later modified by Sanchez and Eby in Isaac C. Sanchez and R. K. Eby, “Crystallization of Random Copolymers,” J. Research NBS—A. Phys. Chem., 77A, 353-358 (1973), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety to describe the effects of solvents on homopolymer melting behavior where the non-crystallizable count is excluded from the crystal lattice (Flory) and included in the crystal lattice (Sanchez and Eby). Flory proposed that both solvent molecules and chain incorporated comonomer units would exert the same diluent effect on the melting of a homopolymer. The equation known as the Flory copolymer melting model is as follows:

$\frac{1}{T_{m}} = {\frac{1}{T_{m}^{0}} + \frac{{Rx}_{c}}{\Delta \; H_{f}^{0}}}$

where T_(m) and T_(m) ⁰ are the copolymer melting and homopolymer equilibrium peak melting temperatures, respectively; R is the gas constant, x_(c) is the total comonomer (chain non-crystallizable units) mole fraction, and ΔH_(f) ⁰ is the homopolymer standard melting enthalpy. Analysis using the foregoing equation involves plotting the inverse of the absolute melting temperature versus the comonomer mole fraction: the slope of the plot yields the melting enthalpy and the intercept yields the inverse of the equilibrium melting absolute temperature. While the Flory method is useful, it is noted that the computed enthalpy is usually about three times lower than standard homopolymer values and experimental melting data is generally lower than that predicted by the Flory equation. Sanchez and Eby assert that in the low comonomer concentration regime, both inclusion and exclusion models yield equivalent expressions for the equilibrium melting temperature as a function of comonomer content. Notwithstanding, these methods provide a useful methodology for data treatment in the present disclosure, especially if coupled and contrasted with a corresponding analysis using the Hoffman-Weeks extrapolation, as understood by the person of skill in the art. Fibers Made from the Bio-Based Polyethylene Composition

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition is used to form a draw texturized yarn (DTY). As would be understood by one of skill in the art, DTY is a fully drawn, fully oriented polyester multifilament yarn with soft crimp, high bulk and texture with cotton feel and very high durability and retention properties. This is manufactured by texturizing partially oriented yarn (POY) using texturizing machines. DTY is suitable for fabric end uses like outer/inner garments, skin-clinging garments, furnishings, upholstery, etc. This is a replacement of cotton and cotton blend yarns with very low moisture content. Intermingled (various rip levels) and non intermingled are also available. Typically, DTY is produced on high-speed draw texturizing machines, with frequent quality checks and monitoring regarding qualities such as dyeability, bulk, and elongation. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition is used to form a draw texturized yarn having a Denier per filament (DPF) of from about 0.5 to about 10, for example about 0.5, about 1.0, about 1.10, about 1.50, about 1.82, about 2.0, about 2.09, about 2.21, about 2.35, about 2.5, about 2.94, about 3.0, about 3.13, about 3.5, about 4.0, about 4.41, about 4.5, about 5.0, about 5.5, about 6.0, about 6.5, about 7.0, about 7.5, about 8.0, about 8.5, about 9.0, about 9.5, or about 10.0.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition is used to form a partially oriented yarn (POY). As would be understood by one of skill in the art, a bio-based PET POY is formed by first cooling the melted bio-based PET composition in a polymer cooler, filtering the bio-based PET composition, and after pressure boosting distributing the bio-based PET composition to the spinning manifolds and then to the spinning positions. The PET melt from spinning position is then extruded through spinnerets by variable speed driven spinning pumps. The extruded filaments are cooled by precisely controlled conditioned and filtered air in quench chamber. The filaments are then passed through the finish application system. The filaments are taken on take up winders and finally wound on bobbins. The yarn produced is extremely fine, as evidenced by the relatively high DPF values for POY. The spinnerets and spinning manifold may be jacketed and heated with dowtherm vapor. Typically, POYs are produced by a continuous polymerization process, with strict quality control of denier orientation and spread, often along with computer-controlled draw force testing, to ensure maximum consistency of yarn performance during and after texturizing. For example, critical yarn properties such as draw force, tenacity, elongation, uster (a measure of the spun filament denier evenness or uniformity along the filament bundle) and shrinkage may be monitored and controlled. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition is used to form a POY having a denier variability of about 2%, a tenacity of at least about 2.5 gpd, elongation of about 5.0%, spin finish of about 0.05 wt %, and an uster of no more than about 1.2%. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition is used to form a partially oriented yarn having a Denier per filament (DPF) of from about 0.5 to about 15, for example about 0.5, about 1.0, about 1.10, about 1.5, about 1.57, about 1.62, about 1.77, about 2.0, about 2.07, about 2.35, about 2.5, about 2.63, about 2.65, about 2.71, about 2.94, about 3.0, about 3.02, about 3.38, about 3.5, about 3.60, about 3.71, about 3.82, about 4.0, about 4.15, about 4.26, about 4.41, about 4.5, about 4.90, about 5.0, about 5.5, about 5.52, about 6.0, about 6.5, about 6.91, about 7.0, about 7.5, about 7.79, about 8.0, about 8.5, about 9.0, about 9.5, about 10.0, about 10.3, about 10.5, about 11.0, about 11.5, about 12.0, about 12.5, about 13.0, about 13.5, about 14.0, about 14.5, or about 15.0.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition is used to form a polyester staple fiber (PSF). As would be understood by one of skill in the art, PSF is the fastest-growing fiber, and is produced by melt spinning a bundle of continuous filaments, called a tow. The tow is then subjected to further processes including, but not limited to drawing, crimping, spin finish application, and are then cut into fixed lengths to result in fibers almost equal in length to cotton fibers. These cut fibers are known as PSF, and are used in a variety of commercial products, such as carpets and nonwoven fabrics. To ensure quality of the fibers, there may be constant checks of the manufacturing line. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition is used to form a polyester staple fiber having a Denier per filament (DPF) of from about 0.5 to about 40.0, for example about 0.5, about 1.0, about 1.5, about 2.0, about 2.5, about 3.0, about 3.5, about 4.0, about 4.5, about 5.0, about 5.5, about 6.0, about 6.5, about 7.0, about 7.5, about 8.0, about 8.5, about 9.0, about 9.5, about 10.0, about 10.5, about 11.0, about 11.5, about 12.0, about 12.5, about 13.0, about 13.5, about 14.0, about 14.5, about 15.0, about 15.5, about 16.0, about 16.5, about 17.0, about 17.5, about 18.0, about 18.5, about 19.0, about 19.5, about 20.0, about 20.5, about 21.0, about 21.5, about 22.0, about 22.5, about 23.0, about 23.5, about 24.0, about 24.5, about 25.0, about 25.5, about 26.0, about 26.5, about 27.0, about 27.5, about 28.0, about 28.5, about 29.0, about 29.5, about 30.0, about 30.5, about 31.0, about 31.5, about 32.0, about 32.5, about 33.0, about 33.5, about 34.0, about 34.5, about 35.0, about 35.5, about 36.0, about 36.5, about 37.0, about 37.5, about 38.0, about 38.5, about 39.0, about 39.5, or about 40.0.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition is used to form a fully drawn yarn (FDY). As would be understood by one of skill in the art, a FDY is produced by a process similar to POY manufacturing, except that the yarn is produced at higher spinning speeds coupled with intermediate drawing integrated in the process itself. This combination allows for stabilization of the polymer through orientation and crystallization. FDYs are suitable for direct twisting, warping, and weaving, and may be used to produce fabrics which have a feeling and drape similar to fabrics produced from natural materials, such as silk or cotton. Further, FDYs eliminate the draw-twisting and sizing process, thus reducing the cost of products for light and medium range fabrics. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition is used to form a fully drawn yarn having a Denier per filament (DPF) of from about 0.5 to about 5, for example about 0.5, about 0.97, about 1.00, about 1.11, about 1.5, about 2.0, about 2.06, about 2.08, about 2.35, about 2.5, about 3.0, about 3.5, about 4.0, about 4.5, or about 5.0.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition is used to form a spin draw yarn (SDY). As would be understood by one of skill in the art, SDY is produced by a process similar to POY manufacturing except that the yarn is produced at higher spinning speeds coupled with an intermediate drawing integrated in the process itself, which allows for stabilization through orientation and crystallization. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition is used to form a spin drawn yarn having a Denier per filament (DPF) of from about 1 to about 5, for example about 0.97, about 1.00, about 1.11, about 2.06, about 2.08, or about 2.35.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bio-based PET composition may be used to form a fiber having an intrinsic viscosity (IV) of from about 0.4 to about 2.0, for example about 0.4, about 0.5, about 0.75, about 1.0, about 1.25, about 1.5, about 1.75, or about 2.0.

EXAMPLES

A bio-based MEG composition was prepared according to the following method. Gel permeation chromatography was used to generate the chromatogram shown in FIG. 1. Further analysis was able to identify the species and concentrations of impurities, as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Impurity Concentration 1,2-propanediol <10 ppm 1,2-butanediol 71 ppm 1,2-pentanediol 418 ppm valeroactone <10 ppm 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol 75 ppm 1,2-hexanediol <10 ppm 1,2-cyclopentanediol <10 ppm Diethylene glycol (DEG) <40 ppm

While only the diols listed above were detected, without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that further diol impurities may be present, where these diols are a linear, branched, or cyclic C₃-C₁₂ 1, 2-diol.

The bio-based MEG provided according to the disclosure was reacted with PTA produced from petroleum sources, although bio-based PTA could also be used according to methods which would be known to one of skill in the art. The resulting polyester composition (PET) can then be spun and/or drawn into a fiber.

As explained in the written description, the Hoffman-Weeks extrapolation procedure can be used to determine the equilibrium melting temperature of a homopolymer, such as PET made according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In this method, the experimentally observed peak melting temperature T_(m) is plotted as a function of the crystallization temperature, T_(c). When secondary effects such as recrystallization are negligible or absent, a plot of T_(m) against T_(c) may be extrapolated to the intersection of the T_(m)-T_(c) parity line to obtain the value for the equilibrium melting temperature T_(m) ⁰. Also as described in the written description, an alternative method where the comonomer content is appreciable was originally developed by Flory and later modified by Sanchez and Eby to describe the effects of solvents on homopolymer melting behavior where the non-crystallizable count is excluded from the crystal lattice (Flory) and included in the crystal lattice (Sanchez and Eby).

Definitions

To define more clearly the terms used herein, the following definitions are provided, and unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise, these definitions are applicable throughout this disclosure. If a term is used in this disclosure but is not specifically defined herein, the definition from the IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd Ed (1997) can be applied, as long as that definition does not conflict with any other disclosure or definition applied herein, or render indefinite or non-enabled any claim to which that definition is applied. To the extent that any definition or usage provided by any document incorporated herein by reference conflicts with the definition or usage provided herein, the definition or usage provided herein controls.

The claim transitional phrases or terms are those described in MPEP 2111.03. The transitional term “comprising” is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by.” However, absent an indication to the contrary, describing a process or composition as “consisting essentially of” is not to be construed as “comprising,” but is intended to describe the recited component that includes materials which do not significantly alter composition or method to which the term is applied. For example, a feedstock consisting essentially of a material A can include impurities typically present in a commercially produced or commercially available sample of the recited compound or composition. When a claim includes different features and/or feature classes (for example, a method step, feedstock features, and/or product features, among other possibilities), the transitional terms comprising, consisting essentially of, and consisting of, apply only to feature class to which is utilized and it is possible to have different transitional terms or phrases utilized with different features within a claim. For example a method can comprise several recited steps (and other non-recited steps) but utilize a catalyst system preparation consisting of specific steps but utilize a catalyst system comprising recited components and other non-recited components. While compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising” various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components or steps.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended, unless specifically indicated otherwise or the context requires otherwise, to include plural alternatives, for example, at least one.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

The terms “configured for” or “adapted for” and similar language is used herein to reflect that the particular recited structure or procedure is used as described or claimed is designed, shaped, arranged, constructed, and/or tailored to effect the disclosed function, as would have been understood by the skilled person.

The term “bio-based” or simply “bio-” as used herein means at least mostly (>50 wt %) originating or produced from a biological material other than a petrochemical, such as plant mass, including but not limited to sugar cane, corn wheat, cassava, agricultural waste, wood chips, or any component thereof. As an example, when referring to a “bio-based MEG composition”, Applicant's intent is that this refers to an MEG composition in which at least 50 wt % (and alternatively at least 75 wt % or at least 90 wt %) of the ethylene glycol in the composition is attributable to the biological material feedstock such as plant mass, or from sugars derived or isolated from plant mass (including but not limited to glucose, xylose, sucrose, fructose, or mixtures thereof) used to generate the MEG.

When describing a range of measurements such as temperatures, pressures, ratios and the like, it is the Applicant's intent to disclose every individual number that such a range could reasonably encompass, for example, every individual number that has at least one more significant figure than in the disclosed end points of the range. As an example, when referring to a concentration from about 1 ppm to about 20 ppm, Applicant's intent is that the disclosure of this range also discloses and is equivalent to the disclosure of about 1 ppm, about 2 ppm, about 3 ppm, about 4 ppm, about 5 ppm, about 6 ppm, about 7 ppm, about 8 ppm, about 9 ppm, about 10 ppm, about 11 ppm, about 12 ppm, about 13 ppm, about 14 ppm, about 15 ppm, about 16 ppm, about 17 ppm, about 18 ppm, about 19 ppm, and about 20 ppm. Applicant's intent is that these two methods of describing the range are interchangeable. Moreover, when a range of values is disclosed or claimed, Applicant also intends for the disclosure of a range to reflect, and be interchangeable with, disclosing any and all sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges encompassed therein. Accordingly, Applicants reserve the right to proviso out or exclude any individual members of any such group, including any sub-ranges or combinations of sub-ranges within the group, that can be claimed according to a range or in any similar manner, if for any reason Applicants choose to claim less than the full measure of the disclosure, for example, to account for a reference that Applicants may be unaware of at the time of the filing of the application.

Values or ranges may be expressed herein as “about”, from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such values or ranges are expressed, other embodiments disclosed include the specific value recited, from the one particular value, and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. In aspects, “about” can be used to mean within 10% of the recited value, within 5% of the recited value, within 2% of the recited value, or within 1% of the recited value.

Any headings that are employed herein are not intended to be used to construe the scope of the claims or to limit the scope of the subject matter that is disclosed herein. Any use of the past tense to describe an example otherwise indicated as constructive or prophetic is not intended to reflect that the constructive or prophetic example has actually been carried out.

All publications and patents mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the constructs and methodologies that are described in the publications, which might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications discussed throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

Applicants reserve the right to proviso out any selection, feature, range, element, or aspect, for example, to limit the scope of any claim to account for a prior disclosure of which Applicants may be unaware. 

1. A method of making a bio-based polyester fiber comprising the steps of: contacting a bio-based MEG composition with a diacid composition to form a polyester composition; and spinning and/or drawing the resulting polyester composition into a fiber; wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises: a) monoethylene glycol (MEG); and b) from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol, wherein the C₃-C₁₂ 1, 2-diol is linear, branched, or cyclic.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bio-based MEG composition further comprises: c) 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-propanediol.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-butanediol.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-pentanediol.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-hexanediol.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-cyclopentanediol.
 8. The method according to claim 2, wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises any one or more of the following: from about 1 to about 20 ppm of 1,2-propanediol; from about 1 to about 80 ppm of 1,2-butanediol; from about 1 to about 500 ppm of 1,2-pentanediol; from about 1 to about 20 ppm of 1,2-hexanediol; from about 1 to about 20 ppm of 1,2-cyclopentanediol; and/or from about 1 to about 100 ppm of 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises any one or more of the following: from about 5 to about 10 ppm of 1,2-propanediol; from about 30 to about 70 ppm of 1,2-butanediol; from about 300 to about 450 ppm of 1,2-pentanediol; from about 5 to about 10 ppm of 1,2-hexanediol; from about 5 to about 10 ppm of 1,2-cyclopentanediol; and/or from about 60 to about 80 ppm of 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the diacid composition comprises terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, 2-(2-carboxyphenyl)benzoic acid, or any combination thereof.
 12. A bio-based polyester fiber produced according to the method of claim
 1. 13. A bio-based polyester fiber, comprising the polyester reaction product of: a bio-based MEG composition comprising a) monoethylene glycol (MEG) and b) from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C₃-C₁₂ 1,2-diol, wherein the C₃-C₁₂ 1, 2-diol is linear, branched, or cyclic; and a diacid composition.
 14. The bio-based polyester fiber according to claim 13, wherein the bio-based MEG composition further comprises: c) 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol.
 15. The bio-based polyester fiber according to claim 13, wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises any one or more of the following: from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-propanediol; from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-butanediol; from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-pentanediol; from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-hexanediol; from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 1,2-cyclopentanediol; and/or from about 1 to about 1000 ppm of 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol. 16.-20. (canceled)
 21. The bio-based polyester fiber according to claim 13, wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises any one or more of the following: from about 1 to about 20 ppm of 1,2-propanediol; from about 1 to about 80 ppm of 1,2-butanediol; from about 1 to about 500 ppm of 1,2-pentanediol; from about 1 to about 20 ppm of 1,2-hexanediol; from about 1 to about 20 ppm of 1,2-cyclopentanediol; and/or from about 1 to about 100 ppm of 2-[(5-methyltetrahydro-2-furanyl)methoxy]ethanol.
 22. (canceled)
 23. The bio-based polyester fiber according to claim 13, wherein the diacid composition comprises terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 2-(2-carboxyphenyl)benzoic acid, or any combination thereof.
 24. The bio-based polyester fiber according to claim 13, wherein the polyester reaction product has a zero shear rate viscosity of from about 890 to about 1700 Pa·s.
 25. The bio-based polyester fiber according to claim 13, wherein the fiber has an intrinsic viscosity of from about 0.4 to about 2.0.
 26. The bio-based polyester fiber according to claim 13, wherein the fiber has a Denier per filament of from about 0.5 to about
 40. 27.-29. (canceled) 